Westmoreland category, Page 88
Program to send text message alerts to residents starting in Jeannette
Municipal information will soon be texted to interested Jeannette residents. Council unanimously approved a one-year contract with Simple Texting for about $590. “This is going to be used anytime there’s a change in garbage (collection) or important information,” said city manager Ethan Keedy. “Residents can sign up to receive text...
Greensburg Salem eyes proposal for school upgrades
Nearly five months after hiring an energy savings company to help the district tackle an overhaul of its facilities, the Greensburg Salem School Board will vote next week on the first phase of renovations. Though the district has made minor improvements at its schools in recent years, its last major...
Greensburg Salem art students display work at Seton Hill gallery, gain ‘authentic’ experience
After four months of brainstorming, sketching and developing a portfolio of artwork, nine Greensburg Salem High School students’ art is on display at the Seton Hill Art Center. The art show, displayed in Seton Hill’s Jodee Harris Gallery, is considered the final exam for Greensburg Salem’s AP Art and Portfolio...
Vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle restored for Greensburg police
A 1959 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car that has been stowed away by Greensburg police for decades is close to hitting the road again. The relic, once covered by a blue tarp in a storage garage, has been painstakingly restored over several months and is awaiting decal lettering as a final touch to...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 10-12
It may be tempting to curl up with a blanket and a piping-hot beverage this weekend to escape the frigid temperatures, but with so much going on in Westmoreland County, why not risk the chill and do something fun? Here are some ideas. Art on Tap: Casino Night Treat yourself...
Jeannette man not guilty of ordering teen brother to shoot adversary
A Westmoreland County jury on Thursday cleared a Jeannette man of allegations that he ordered his teenage brother to shoot his opponent after losing a street fight nearly four years ago. Following just one of hour deliberations, jurors returned not guilty verdicts for all five counts against Brandon Ingram. Ingram,...
Mother, daughter accused of stealing $4.4M from Greensburg Beverage CEO’s estate
A mother and daughter were arrested Thursday on police accusations they stole a relative’s $4.4 million inheritance from the estate of the CEO of Greensburg Beverage, according to court papers. Angela Lynne Valesky, 26, of Murrysville, and her mother, Lisa Anne Skatell-Valesky, 51, of Jeannette, are charged with theft and...
Greensburg Salem considers accepting grant to train teachers in mental health program
Greensburg Salem teacher Taylor Guido has seen firsthand how taking care of her mental health benefits her students. But it wasn’t until she attended a mental health-focused camp in Somerset County that she learned this valuable lesson. That’s why the district has proposed a program to train its teachers in...
Rivertowne Pub demolition bids submitted for review by North Huntingdon commissioners
The condemned former Rivertowne Pub & Grille on Route 30 in North Huntingdon — a piece of the defunct, bankrupt Rivertowne Brewing Co. — likely will be razed this spring, township officials said Wednesday. The North Huntingdon commissioners expect to vote on a demolition contract when the board meets Jan....
Latrobe’s Adelphoi to double capacity at charter school; expansion set for summer debut
Latrobe’s Adelphoi expects to debut an expansion of its Ketterer Charter School in June, more than doubling its capacity to provide instruction for area students who face emotional, behavioral or academic challenges. Construction is underway on two additions to the 45,000-square-foot school that is chartered by the Greater Latrobe School...
Attempted homicide added to Mt. Pleasant man’s charges in truck chase, shooting
A Mt. Pleasant motorist accused of chasing another driver and shooting at his vehicle had his day in court delayed Wednesday as state police refiled the charges against him, adding attempted homicide. Paul A. Caletri III, 30, also is charged with aggravated and simple assault, criminal mischief, reckless driving and...
Jury finds Monessen man not guilty of rape, sex assault charges
A Monessen man was acquitted of sexual assault charges on Wednesday. After nearly two hours of deliberations by a Westmoreland County jury, Jerry Francis Griest, 63, was found not guilty of three charges in connection with allegations made by an autistic woman who claimed she was raped after she rejected...
Defense claims Mt. Pleasant woman’s drinking not the cause of crash that injured pedestrians
Westmoreland County prosecutors contend a Mt. Pleasant woman was severely drunk when she drove her sports utility vehicle off the road and struck two pedestrians in early July 2020. Assistant District Attorney Theresa Miller-Sporrer told jurors on Wednesday that Elizabeth Sirianni’s decision to drive home after drinking at two local...
Trial begins for brother accused of ordering gunfire that started Jeannette shootout
Terra Dudley knew her son was in trouble but hesitated when she pulled out a gun to defend him as he fled from a barrage of bullets. She then fired at the teenage boy who had taken aim at her 17-year-old son, James Sanders. “My heart broke. I had just...
Former Derry Area Aqua Club president accused of stealing $24K from organization
The former president of the Derry Area Aqua Club was jailed Wednesday on police accusations that she used money from the organization to pay for gambling and sports betting, according to court papers. Josie Faye Ruffner, 35, of Latrobe, is charged by Westmoreland County detectives with dealing in proceeds of...
Westmoreland happenings: turkey dinner, more
Fundraisers • Jeannette Knights of Columbus hosts bingo at 7 p.m. Fridays in Mersinger Hall at Ascension Church, 615 Division St., Jeannette. Doors open at 6 p.m. and early birds begin at 6:30 p.m. Players younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Smoke-free venue. Food will be available...
Attorney for Jeannette officer seeks probationary program in case of false traffic stop reports
The attorney representing a Jeannette police officer accused of falsifying reports related to traffic stops said he hopes to get his client into a probationary program. Matthew S. Painter, 40, of Penn Township, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on 18 misdemeanor counts. There was no agreement struck...
Solar power company wins zoning approval in North Huntingdon
A clean energy company was given the green light Tuesday to proceed with plans for a solar power system it wants to build on a North Huntingdon farm, a first step in a long approval process that could take three years before producing electricity, a company official said. The five-member...
Ligonier Township supervisor suing Ligonier Valley Police joins force oversight board
A man who is suing the Ligonier Valley Police and has approved litigation against the commission that oversees the force is now serving on that same commission. Erik Ross, who has taken over as chairman of the Ligonier Township supervisors, has replaced Stephanie Verna as a representative of the supervisors...
Trial begins for Monessen man accused of sexually assaulting autistic woman
The lawyer for a Monessen man told a Westmoreland County jury that a sexual relationship between his client and a Rostraver woman more than two years ago was consensual. Jerry Francis Griest, 63, is charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault in...
‘I want our employees to feel safe’ Jeannette mayor says as city eyes updated panic buttons
Jeannette Mayor Curtis Antoniak on Tuesday called for panic alarms to be installed at city hall after an unnerving situation was reported last week by the administrative assistant. “We need to protect these workers,” Antoniak said. Andrea M. Beneke said a person came into her office at city hall last...
Commissioners look to ‘retool’ Westmoreland election bureau
The search for a new director of Westmoreland County’s election bureau could begin in earnest this month as officials said Monday they want to have a new leadership team in place before the May primary. Former director Greg McCloskey retired in December, leaving a vacancy officials have yet to begin...
Snow doesn’t mean postponements for W.Pa. school districts, although some still opt to cancel
Before snow started to fall Sunday night, many Western Pennsylvania school districts made the decision to cancel Monday’s classes or shift to remote instruction. Districts opting to use a flexible instruction day asked students to use computers to complete schoolwork from home. Students in districts that canceled classes enjoyed what...
Florida man accused in theft of $156K check from Mt. Pleasant Township company
A missing $156,000 check written by a Mt. Pleasant Township manufacturer led state police to a Florida man who is accused of intercepting it and taking it for himself. Potensky Jean-Pierre, 26, was jailed over the weekend on charges including theft, forgery, corrupt organizations and dealing in proceeds from an...
4 juveniles charged, staff members injured in riot at Fairfield youth facility
Four juveniles are charged as adults in connection with what police described as a riot that caused significant damage at a Fairfield youth facility. State Trooper Steve Limani said more charges are likely as police continue to examine surveillance video from Outside In School of Experiential Learning. The chaos started...
